[martinsynapse]

A rare “life window” has opened up that allows me to take a crack at riding the Stelvio from Prato. It’s a personal “New Years Resolution” I’ve so far failed many years in a row.

For those of you who awesome legends have done it in your middle years, what are you tips and advice?

About me:

– My goal isn’t to break any records, it’s to experience the wonder of getting up there. I’m going midweek August.

– I’m not an elite rider, I mostly commute about 3k miles a year but I’ve ridden the Ventoux (4x), Applecross and Mount Tiede from Puerto de la Cruz. They were hard but not impossible. I’m going to do reps on steep terrain in the coming weeks but recognise there’s too little time to truly move any needles.

– I don’t know that much about proper fueling, would love advice on how many gels would suffice?

(I got caught calorie-short on my last Ventoux ride when I added a bunch of miles via Saux and Gorge De La Nesque).

– Like the Ventoux & Tiede, I’m planning on bringing gloves, glasses and cycling jacket for a cold descent. What other specialist kit should I bring, if any?

– My low gearing is 34T on the front 32 on the back. Any risks of this not being low enough?

– Here’s the route I intend to follow: https://veloviewer.com/segments/15285259

Topic

[Pub bike]

Using hydration tablets in your water helps replace the electrolytes you sweat out or otherwise excrete so that under heavy exercise your nervous system and your muscles keep working normally apparently…

I used NUUN when I did Stelvio which were fine. Most recently I’ve used ORS. I can’t imagine there’s much difference between brands. Saino’s even sell their own branded version now. They all contain sodium, potassium and magnesium salts in small quantities. If you’re comfortable with SIS then maybe try theirs?

[martinsynapse]

Interesting, I’ve not used hydration tablets before, any you recommend?

I’ve bought some SIS BETA range gels because its a longer ride.

[Dnnnnnn]

As others have alluded, the Stelvio’s outstanding feature is its sheer length. Take it easy early on – the gentle slopes and excitement can tempt you to push it and leave you exposed later. Food and hydration will be important – doesn’t have to be fancy sports products but keep nibbling and sipping. As for gearing… it really depends on the individual but it’s worth having a spare gear you can keep spinning when you’re beyond your usual limits. And look around and take in all the magnificence!

[kevgravelkev]

There are a small number of perfectly safe water springs on the side of the road as you climb. Two 750mL bottles should be enough as long as you stop to refill.
I don’t know how well you climb but 34/32 would seem too big (for me at least). Shimano do an 11-36 in 11sp and 12sp and I would throw one of those on. I don’t believe you can ever have too low a gear.
I rode it in July last year and whilst the gradient rarely gets above 7% (some 9% bits but short) the 48 hairpin bends are mentally tough and it’s a decent distance to be constantly climbing (no flat bits at all).
In August you should be fine with a gilet and arm warmers on the descent if temps are typical. Check the weather on the day and go from there. On the day I rode it it snowed 30 minutes after I summited…
As for fuelling, I found it very difficult to ride and eat at the same time so I regularly stopped to admire the sensational views and ate then. I’m not a fan of gels so I took a big bag of jelly beans and spare energy drink powder.
Enjoy it, it’s brilliant. Don’t forget to buy an overpriced t-shirt at the top.

[Pub bike]

I have a bottle cage under the downtube which fits a 650 ml bottle but on tour I always have a 4th bottle in a pannier. Your case is different but strap-on bottle cages exist and one was reviewed on road.cc not so long ago. You can also get brackets that fit on the back of seat rails that take bottle cages. Decathlon at least until recently made a strap-on bag where you can hang a bottle on the handlebars.

I would also recommend using hydration tablets in your water.

[martinsynapse]

Oh that is very encouraging re Ventoux from Malaucène and great advice re the water. I only have room for two cages on my Synapse.

I once wore a MTB rucksack with a Camelback on a Ventoux ascent and I swear I got told off by fellow road bike riders!

How would you carry three on a bike?

[Pub bike]

Ventoux from Malaucène has some long 11% sections so if you’ve done that you’ll likely be fine on Stelvio as there is less than 200 m more climbing to do to get to the pass.

The striking and unusual thing I found about Stelvio with its 48 hairpins was that the sheer size of the mountain is visible from very low down on the climb which makes it seem truly awesome – but don’t let that put you off!

I did it on a loaded touring bike starting from Merano with a bottom gear of 22/34 as part of the Alpine Tour Léman-Adriatic (in reverse). On my way up I saw a chap on a road bike lower down who had too little water and who then ended up walking – so make sure you have enough e.g. 3 bottles if it is hot.

[Author]

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